The Writing On My Forehead by Nafisa Haji

I came to know what 'the Writing' is only at 4/5 of the book. The family was never religious to begin with, but as Saira gets older she finds things that gets her closer to her religion and culture, as the family's past unravels and the present unfolds.

A theme that flows in the storyline covers the belief of kismat, or the belief that everything in life including the choices we make are governed by Allah's will. Saira had only vague belief in kismat and so she continued to live her life the way she wants it, not giving heed to conventional things like marriage and raising a family. For a brief moment she had an affair with an older Muslim man and got pregnant. Ameena, the older sister- married with an unexplainable infertility, begged Saira not to abort the baby, whom she later raised to call her own. The baby is named Sakina.

Before Saira's mother died, she told her that she used to worry so much about Saira's adventurous means. When Saira was little, the mother would always write some Arabic words on the foreheads of the girls in belief that it will safeguard them from evil. Saira only knows what those words mean before her mother's last breath. The words that used to be 'written' on her forehead was Ayatul Qursi. Allahu la ilaha illa Huwa, Al-Haiyul-Qaiyum. (Allah, There is no god but He - the Living, The Self-subsisting, Eternal.)

Following the mass anger to Muslims after the 9/11 attacks, Ameena was killed at a gunshot with 6 year old Sakina bearing witness to the murder. The whole family was shattered in trauma with two deaths occuring in less than 6 months. Little Sakina became quiet and wouldn't communicate with Saira as she helps to raise Sakina at her parent's old house. Draped in guilt and sin, and tragedies chasing her all at once, one night Saira had a bad dream. At the same time, little Sakina couldn't sleep and called upon her. In guilt and sadness, Saira comforted Sakina to get over her mother's death and wrote 'the Writing' on Sakina's forehead, in hopes that everything will eventually turn out fine and her sins awashed, by Allah's will.

*Growing up as a Muslim, I personally and religiously believe in the power of 'the Writing'. I recite it the most whenever I feel that something is not right in my life. I'm not that religious, but it can be magically amazing that such little belief you carry can get you through even the worst of situations. One day you feel like you're in hell and when you wake up the day next, it feels like you're given a chance to fix what the bad decisions have done to ourselves and the people around us. Truly, by what He has made me see, hear and feel; everything, everything happens by His will.


"Allah! There is no god but He - the Living, The Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him Nor Sleep. His are all things In the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede In His presence except As he permitteth? He knoweth What (appeareth to His creatures As) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass Aught of his knowledge Except as He willeth. His throne doth extend Over the heavens And on earth, and He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them, For He is the Most High. The Supreme (in glory)." [2: 255]